“For Škoda, safety is one of the key priorities,” said Frank Welsch, Škoda Board Member for technical development. “That is also true for the new Octavia. Our goal is to make the journey as comfortable and safe as possible for both the driver and passengers. With numerous active assistance systems and a comprehensive package of passive safety features, this new model is the safest ever,” he added

“The test results from Euro NCAP are further evidence of our high level of safety. We are pleased with the overall result of a five-star top rating from independent experts,” Dr Welsch said.

Euro NCAP awarded top marks for the circumferential occupant protection of adults seated in the front.

The Škoda Octavia achieved 93 per cent of the possible number of points in this category. The passenger compartment remains stable; the front-seated dummies were virtually undamaged after the test. The circumferential protection of front seated adults of different body sizes, in different seating positions, was always equally good. Likewise, the car achieved very good results in terms of child safety. The Euro NCAP test engineers gave a high rating in pedestrian protection for the new Škoda Octavia. Additionally, the testers were impressed by Octavia’s innovative safety assistance systems, including the equipment fitted as standard in EU countries such as electronic stability control (ESC) and the driver and passenger seatbelt reminder.